Math 156: Lesson 1.

5
Homogeneous Function
The function f(x, y) = 0 is called a homogeneous function of
degree n if and only if f(kx, ky) = knf(x, y).

Test whether the given function is homogeneous or not, if it is

homogeneous then give the degree.
1. f(x, y) = 4x2 − 3xy + y2
2. 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 2𝑦 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
3. f(x, y) = x sin(y/x) − y sin(x/y)
𝑥5
4. 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 =
𝑥 2 +2𝑦 2
 Equations with Homogeneous Coefficients
The differential equation M(x, y)dx + N(x, y)dy = 0 is
homogeneous if both M and N are homogeneous and are of
the same degree.

Theorem:
1. If M(x, y) and N(x, y) are both homogeneous and of the
same degree, the function or N/M is of degree 0.
2. If f(x, y) is homogeneous of degree zero in x + y, then f(x,
y) is a function of y/x alone.
 General Solution of a Homogeneous DE
If M(x, y) and N(x, y) are homogeneous and of degree zero,
then the ratio M/N or N/M can be expressed as a function of
single variable alone, say v.

Thus, the substitution x = vy or y = vx will transform the

equation to a variable separable differential equation.

Note: A differential equation is homogeneous if all the terms

are of the same degree.
 Examples
Test for homogeneity.

1. (x2 + y2)dx + xydy = 0

M = (x2 + y2), homogeneous of degree 2.
N = xy, homogeneous of degree 2.
Therefore, the differential equation is homogeneous.

2. (3x + 2y)dx − (x2 + 2xy + y2)dy = 0

M = 3x + 2y, homogeneous of degree 1.
N = x2 + 2xy + y2, homogeneous of degree 2.
Therefore, the differential equation is not homogeneous.
 Examples
Test whether each equation is homogeneous or not. If it is
homogeneous then find the general solution.
1. (x2 + y2)dx + xydy = 0
 Examples
2. xydx + 2(x2 + 2y2)dy = 0
 Examples
3. 𝑦𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦
 Examples
4. [x csc(y/x) − y]dx + xdy = 0
 Examples
5. (x2 − xy + y2)dx − xydy = 0
 Classwork 1.4
For each of the problems :
(a) Show that the given equation is homogeneous.
(b) Solve the differential equation.

𝑑𝑦 𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑦+𝑦 2
1) =
𝑑𝑥 𝑥2

𝑑𝑦 4𝑥+3𝑦
2) =−
𝑑𝑥 2𝑥+𝑦